"There!" William hissed suddenly, nodding towards an elderly gentleman struggling with several shopping bags. His wallet was visible, peeking out from his back pocket.
They moved into position, Andrew's heart racing. This was their last chance. As they approached, however, the old man turned, giving them a kind smile. "Hello there, children," he said warmly. "Would you like to help an old fellow with his bags? I can spare a few coins for the trouble."
The old man's kind offer hung in the air, a lifeline thrown to three drowning souls. Andrew, Lisa, and William exchanged quick glances, a silent conversation passing between them in the span of a heartbeat. The desperation of their situation warred with the last vestiges of their innocence, the part of them that longed for honest work and genuine kindness.
"We'd be happy to help, sir," Lisa said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. The words felt foreign on her tongue, so used was she to begging or planning petty thefts.
